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Working through Community-based Channels to Introduce Zinc for Treatment of Pediatric Diarrheas

The presentation reviews field programs designed to increase the availability of zinc treatments for persistent childhood diarrhea in Benin and Madagascar. Diarrhea is responsible for 15% of deaths in children under the age of five worldwide, and zinc has been clinically proven to reduce the duration of persistent diarrhea. The field programs sought to work with the public and private sectors to increase the supply of zinc products as well as educate consumers and providers via variety of channels. The presentation reported lessons learned from their various interventions, including that community sources are often sought for advice about diarrhea treatment, and therefore, partnerships with such organizations can increase awareness and access to products and encourage correct zinc and oral rehydration salt use. This presentation was given at the American Public Health Association conference in 2011.